The longest prison sentence ever handed down in Manitoba, 75 years before you can apply for parole, could soon be reduced by two-thirds.
John Paul Ostamas killed three homeless people in 2015. He wants his sentence reduced in light of a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision.
In May, the Supreme Court struck down the Criminal Code provision that allows for cumulative sentences for multiple murders. This provision was adopted by the Conservative government of Stephen Harper in 2011.
In the ruling, Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner wrote that section 745.1 was cruel and unusual punishment.
John Paul Ostamas, now 45, was sentenced in 2016 to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for 25 years for the murders of Miles Monias, Stony Stanley Bushie and Donald Collins in April 2015 .
The men’s bodies were found in downtown Winnipeg.
Those three consecutive sentences meant that John Paul Ostamas would die behind bars.
Last week, in the wake of this Supreme Court decision, the latter’s lawyers filed an application before the Manitoba Court of Appeal, the highest court in the province.
If the Manitoba Court of Appeal agrees to hear his case and vary his sentence, John Paul Ostamas would be eligible for parole by 2040 instead of 2090.
I just want to point out to everyone that this just means he can apply for parole; that doesn’t mean he’s gonna get itsays the lawyer of Jean-Paul Ostamas Ryan Amy.
A first hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Me Amy expects the Court of Appeal to hear her client’s case taking into consideration the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Canada.
With information from James Turner
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
